Law, Love and Chocolate drew 250 guests to the Canton Club Event Center Monday evening. Stark County Common Pleas Judge Taryn Heath, founder of the event, welcomed guests with a champagne toast. Proceeds benefit the Children’s Network of Stark County Inc.Meg Matejkovic, associate dean of the University of Akron School of Law, said the event is a great association between the Stark County Bar Association and the school’s alumni association.Attorneys and judges served up chocolate treats. Stark Common Pleas Judge Frank Forchione served chocolate mousse along with Richard Reinbold; Tom Himmelspach offered Nutella brownies, while Jennifer Novotny and Kristen Moore served chocolate-covered cream puffs. Daphne Thomson and Julie Barnes circulated with raffle tickets for gift baskets, while Dennis Schweiser provided background music.Stark Family Court Judge Rosemarie Hall offered triple-fudge brownies, while Canton Municipal Judge Mary Falvey served chocolate tiramisu. Stark Probate Judge Dixie Parks baked her own chocolate cream cheese cupcakes, and her husband, Dr. John Park, made and decorated valentine sugar cookies for those allergic to chocolate. Event Center Chef Mark Pullin, who just returned from the Super Bowl, where he participated in Taste of the NFL, prepared a buffet featuring
cocoa-dusted scallops with pineapple chutney, cocoa-crusted pork tenderloin, and chicken mole with green chili chocolate sauce. Stark Family Court Judge Michael Howard and Ali Frantz recommended the chocolate pretzel-crusted perch, while Sheila Farmer Black liked the jalapeño peppers stuffed with chocolate cream cheese.Honorary Chair Lee Plakas told Janet Mooney the recipe for chocolate baklava had been handed down by the god Zeus direct from Mount Olympus. Fifth District Appeals Judge Scott Gwin and Kristen Bates served Taggert’s chocolate pecan ice cream; Greg Beck served a vegan chocolate torte; and Judith Lancaster and Tim Saylor offered chocolate-covered strawberries and buckeyes.The chocolate fountain drew Maria Edwards and Robin Miller to dip fruit, cookies, even bacon.Stark County Prosecutor John Ferrero enjoyed the event along with Stark County Coroner Dr. P.S. Murthy, Jenny Coon, Cheli Curran, Joe Cholley, Chris Gumpp, Liz Ebersole, Bill Williams, Chip Condi, Leslie Kuntz, Tim Belden, Peg Paumier and Megan Frantz Oldham.